IGCSE CHEMISTRY

(The entire CIE syllabus in colour!)

1. The particulate nature of matter 8. Acids, bases and salts

2. Experimental techniques 9. Periodic table
3. Atoms, elements and compounds. 10. Metals
4. Stoichiometry 11. Air and water
5. Electricity and chemistry 12. Sulfur
6. Chemical energetics
7. Chemical reactions - rates,
reversible reactions and redox
You should add your own notes to the reverse side of each card to help remind you of
the details. Remember, anything in a “Core” section can come up on Papers One and Six
only, “Supplement” means Paper Three.
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1. The Particulate Nature of Matter

Core Supplement
• Describe the states of matter • Describe the dependence of
and explain their inter- rate of diffusion on molecular
conversion in terms of the mass (treated qualitatively)
kinetic particle theory
• Describe and explain diffusion
• Describe evidence for the
movement of particles in gases
and liquids (a treatment of
Brownian motion is not required
but we’ve done it anyway)

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2. Experimental Techniques
2.1 Measurement

Core
• Name appropriate apparatus for the measurement of
time, (a stopwatch)
temperature, (a thermometer, liquid in glass or digital)
mass (a balance)
and volume, including burettes, pipettes and measuring cylinders

You should also know the correct terms for all common glassware and
laboratory equipment – make a list on the reverse.

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2.2 (a) Criteria of purity
Core
• Describe paper chromatography
• Interpret simple chromatograms
• Identify substances and assess
their purity from melting point and
boiling point information
• Understand the importance of
purity in substances in everyday
life, e.g. foodstuffs and drugs
Supplement
• Interpret simple chromatograms,
including the use of Rf values
• Outline how chromatography
techniques can be applied to
colourless substances by exposing
chromatograms to substances
called locating agents (knowledge
of specific locating agents is not
required)
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2.2 (b) Methods of purification

Core
• Describe methods of purification by the use of a suitable solvent, filtration,
crystallisation, distillation (including use of fractionating column). (Refer to the
fractional distillation of crude oil in section 14.2 and products of fermentation in
section 14.6.)
• Suggest suitable purification techniques, given information about the
substances involved

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3. Atoms, elements and compounds
3.1 Atomic structure and the Periodic Table

Core
• State the relative charges and approximate relative masses of protons,
neutrons and electrons
• Define proton number and nucleon number
• Use proton number and the simple structure of atoms to explain the basis of
the Periodic Table (see section 9), with special reference to the elements of
proton number 1 to 20 (You should learn these first 20)
• Define isotopes
• State the two types of isotopes as being radioactive and non-radioactive
• State one medical and one industrial use of radioactive isotopes
• Describe the build-up of electrons in ‘shells’ and understand the significance
of the noble gas electronic structures and of valency electrons (the ideas of
the distribution of electrons in s and p orbitals and in d block elements are not
required.)

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3.2 Bonding: the structure of matter

Core
• Describe the differences between elements, mixtures and compounds, and
between metals and non-metals
• Describe an alloy, such as brass, as a mixture of a metal with other elements

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3.2 (a) Ions and ionic bonds
Core
• Describe the formation of ions by
electron loss or gain
• Describe the formation of ionic
bonds between elements from
Groups I and VII
Supplement
• Describe the formation of ionic
bonds between metallic and non-
metallic elements
• Describe the lattice structure of
ionic compounds as a regular
arrangement of alternating positive
and negative ions
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3.2 (b) Molecules and covalent bonds
Core
• Describe the formation of single
covalent bonds in H2, Cl2 , H2O,
CH4 and HCl as the sharing of
pairs of electrons leading to the
noble gas configuration
• Describe the differences in
volatility, solubility and electrical
conductivity between ionic and
covalent compounds
Supplement
• Describe the electron
arrangement in more complex
covalent molecules such as N2,
C2H4, CH3OH and CO2
Although the syllabus does not
mention it, you must be able to
draw dot and cross diagrams
showing the arrangement of
electrons in these simple
molecules
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3.2 (c) Macromolecules
Core
• Describe the giant covalent
structures of graphite and diamond
• Relate their structures to the use
of graphite as a lubricant and of
diamond in cutting
Supplement
• Describe the macromolecular
structure of silicon (IV) oxide
(silicon dioxide)
• Describe the similarity in
properties between diamond and
silicon (IV) oxide, related to their
structures
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3.2 (d) Metallic bonding

Supplement
• Describe metallic bonding as a lattice of positive ions in a ‘sea of electrons’
and use this to describe the electrical conductivity and malleability of metals

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4. Stoichiometry

Core Supplement
• Use the symbols of the elements and write the • Determine the formula of
formulae of simple compounds an ionic compound from
• Deduce the formula of a simple compound from the charges on the ions
the relative numbers of atoms present present
• Deduce the formula of a simple compound from a • Construct equations with
model or a diagrammatic representation state symbols, including
• Construct word equations and simple balanced ionic equations
chemical equations
• Deduce the balanced
• Define relative atomic mass, Ar
equation for a chemical
• Define relative molecular mass, Mr , as the sum of
the relative atomic masses (relative formula mass
reaction, given relevant
or Mr will be used for ionic compounds) information
(Calculations involving reacting masses in simple
proportions may be set. Calculations will not involve
the mole concept.) – This refers to Paper One only!!!!

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4.1 The mole concept

Supplement
• Define the mole and the Avogadro constant
• Use the molar gas volume, taken as 24 dm3 at room temperature and
pressure
• Calculate stoichiometric reacting masses and volumes of gases and
solutions, solution concentrations expressed in g/dm3 and mol/dm3.
(Calculations involving the idea of limiting reactants may be set. Questions on
the gas laws and the conversion of gaseous volumes to different temperatures
and pressures will not be set.)
• Calculate empirical formulae and molecular formulae
• Calculate % yield and % purity

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5. Electricity and Chemistry

Core
• Describe the electrode products in the electrolysis of:
– molten lead (II) bromide
– concentrated hydrochloric acid
– concentrated aqueous sodium chloride between inert electrodes (platinum or
carbon)
• State the general principle that metals or hydrogen are formed at the
negative electrode (cathode), and that non-metals (other than hydrogen) are
formed at the positive electrode (anode)
• Predict the products of the electrolysis of a specified binary compound in the
molten state
• Describe the electroplating of metals
• Name the uses of electroplating
• Describe the reasons for the use of copper and (steel-cored) aluminium in
cables, and why plastics and ceramics are used as insulators

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5. Electricity and Chemistry

Supplement
• Relate the products of electrolysis to the electrolyte and electrodes used,
exemplified by the specific examples in the Core together with aqueous
copper (II) sulfate using carbon electrodes and using copper electrodes (as
used in the refining of copper)
• Describe electrolysis in terms of the ions present and reactions at the
electrodes in the examples given
• Predict the products of electrolysis of a specified halide in dilute or
concentrated aqueous solution
• Describe, in outline, the manufacture of
– aluminium from pure aluminium oxide in molten cryolite
– chlorine and sodium hydroxide from concentrated aqueous sodium chloride
(Starting materials and essential conditions should be given but not technical
details or diagrams.)

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6. Chemical energetics
6.1 Energetics of a reaction

Core Supplement
• Describe the meaning of • Describe bond breaking as
exothermic and endothermic endothermic and bond forming as
reactions exothermic

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6.2 Production of energy
Core
• Describe the production of heat
energy by burning fuels
• Describe hydrogen as a fuel
• Describe radioactive isotopes,
such as 235U, as a source of
energy
Supplement
• Describe the production of
electrical energy from simple cells,
i.e. two electrodes in an
electrolyte. (This should be linked
with the reactivity series in section
10.2 and redox in section 7.3.)
• Describe the use of hydrogen as
a potential fuel reacting with
oxygen to generate electricity in a
fuel cell (details of the construction
and operation of a fuel cell are not
required)
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 7. Chemical reactions 7.1 Rate (speed) of reaction
Core
• Describe the effect of
concentration, particle size,
catalysts (including enzymes)
and temperature on the rate
(speed) of reactions
• Describe a practical method for
investigating the rate (speed) of a and concentration in terms of collisions between
reaction involving gas evolution
• Describe the application of the
above factors to the danger of
explosive combustion with fine
powders (e.g. flour mills) and
gases (e.g. mines)
Note: Candidates should be
encouraged to use the term
rate rather than speed.
Supplement
• Devise a suitable method for investigating the
effect of a given variable on the rate (speed) of a
reaction
• Interpret data obtained from experiments
concerned with rate (speed) of reaction
• Describe and explain the effects of temperature
reacting particles
• Describe the role of light in photochemical
reactions and the effect of light on the rate
(speed) of these reactions
• Describe the use of silver salts in photography
as a process of reduction of silver ions to silver;
and photosynthesis as the reaction between
carbon dioxide and water in the presence of
chlorophyll and sunlight (energy) to produce
glucose and oxygen
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7.2 Reversible reactions
Core
• Describe the idea that some
chemical reactions can be
reversed by changing the reaction
conditions (Limited to the effects of
heat on hydrated salts.
Concept of equilibrium is not
required.) including hydrated
copper(II) sulfate and hydrated
cobalt(II) chloride.
Supplement
• Predict the effect of changing the
conditions (concentration,
temperature
and pressure) on other reversible
reactions
• Concept of equilibrium
The Haber process and the
NO2/N2O4 equilibrium have both
come up in the past.
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7.3 Redox
Core
• Define oxidation and reduction in
terms of oxygen loss/gain.
(Oxidation state limited to its use to
name ions, e.g. iron (II), iron (III),
copper (II), manganite (VII),
dichromate (VI).)
Supplement
• Define redox in terms of electron
transfer
• Identify redox reactions by
changes in oxidation state and by
the colour changes involved when
using acidified potassium
manganate (VII), and potassium
iodide. (Recall of equations
involving KMnO4 is not required.)
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8. Acids, Bases and Salts
8.1 The characteristic properties of acids and bases

Core Supplement
• Describe the characteristic properties • Define acids and bases in terms of
of acids as reactions with metals, bases, proton transfer, limited to aqueous
carbonates and effect on litmus solutions
• Describe the characteristic properties • Describe the meaning of weak and
of bases as reactions with acids and with strong acids and bases
ammonium salts and effect on litmus
• Describe neutrality and relative acidity
and alkalinity in terms of pH (whole
numbers only) measured using Universal
Indicator paper
• Describe and explain the importance of
controlling acidity in soil

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8.2 Types of oxides

Core Supplement
• Classify oxides as either acidic or • Further classify other oxides as
basic, related to metallic and non- neutral or amphoteric
metallic character

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8.3 Preparation of salts
Core
• Describe the preparation,
separation and purification of salts
as examples of some of the
techniques specified in section
2.2(b) and the reactions specified
in section 8.1
Supplement
• Describe the preparation of
insoluble salts by precipitation
• Suggest a method of making a
given salt from suitable starting
material, given appropriate
information
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8.4 Identification of ions and gases
Core
• Describe the following tests to identify:
aqueous cations:
aluminium, ammonium, calcium, copper(II), iron(II), iron(III) and zinc (using
aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous ammonia as appropriate) (Formulae of
complex ions are not required.)
anions:
carbonate (by reaction with dilute acid and then limewater),
chloride (by reaction under acidic conditions with aqueous silver nitrate),
iodide (by reaction under acidic conditions with aqueous silver nitrate),
nitrate (by reduction with aluminium),
sulfate(by reaction under acidic conditions with aqueous barium ions)
gases:
ammonia (using damp red litmus paper),
carbon dioxide (using limewater),
chlorine (using damp litmus paper),
hydrogen (using lighted splint),
oxygen (using a glowing splint).
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9. The Periodic Table

Core
• Describe the Periodic Table as a method of classifying elements and its use to
predict properties of elements

9.1 Periodic trends

Core Supplement
• Describe the change from metallic • Describe the relationship between
to non-metallic character across a Group number, number of valency
period electrons and metallic/non-metallic
character

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9.2 Group properties

Core Supplement
• Describe lithium, sodium and • Identify trends in other Groups,
potassium in Group I as a collection given information about the
of relatively soft metals showing a elements concerned
trend in melting point, density and
reaction with water
• Predict the properties of other
elements in Group I, given data,
where appropriate
• Describe chlorine, bromine and
iodine in Group VII as a collection
of diatomic non-metals showing a
trend in colour, and state their
reaction with other halide ions
• Predict the properties of other
elements in Group VII, given data
where appropriate
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9.3 Transition elements

Core
• Describe the transition elements as a collection of metals having high
densities, high melting points and forming coloured compounds, and which, as
elements and compounds, often act as catalysts

9.4 Noble gases

Core
• Describe the noble gases as being unreactive
• Describe the uses of the noble gases in providing an inert atmosphere, i.e.
argon in lamps, helium for filling balloons

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10. Metals
10.1 Properties of metals

Core
• Describe the general physical and chemical properties of metals
• Explain why metals are often used in the form of alloys
• Identify representations of alloys from diagrams of structure

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10.2 Reactivity series
Core
• Place in order of reactivity:
potassium, sodium, calcium,
magnesium, zinc, iron, (hydrogen)
and copper, by reference to the
reactions, if any, of the metals with
– water or steam
– dilute hydrochloric acid and the
reduction of their oxides with
carbon
• Deduce an order of reactivity from
a given set of experimental results
Supplement
• Describe the reactivity series as
related to the tendency of a metal to
form its positive ion, illustrated by
its reaction, if any, with
– the aqueous ions
– the oxides
of the other listed metals
• Describe the action of heat on the
hydroxides and nitrates of the listed
metals
• Account for the apparent
unreactivity of aluminium in terms of
the oxide layer which adheres to
the metal
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10.3 (a) Extraction of metals

Core Supplement
• Describe the ease in obtaining • Describe in outline, the extraction
metals from their ores by relating of zinc from zinc blende
the elements to the reactivity series • Name the main ore of aluminium
• Describe the essential reactions in as bauxite (see section 5)
the extraction of iron from hematite
(blast furnace)
• Describe the conversion of iron
into steel using basic oxides and
oxygen

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10.3 (b) Uses of metals

Core Supplement
• Name the uses of aluminium: • Name the uses of zinc for
– in the manufacture of aircraft galvanising and for making brass
because of its strength and low • Name the uses of copper related
density to its properties (electrical wiring
– in food containers because of its and in cooking utensils)
resistance to corrosion
• Describe the idea of changing the
properties of iron by the controlled
use of additives to form steel alloys
• Name the uses of mild steel (car
bodies and machinery) and
stainless steel (chemical plant and
cutlery)

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11. Air & Water - Core
• Describe chemical tests for water using cobalt (II) chloride and copper (II)
sulfate
• Describe, in outline, the treatment of the water supply in terms of filtration and
chlorination
• Name some of the uses of water in industry and in the home
• Describe the composition of clean air as being approximately 79 % nitrogen,
20 % oxygen and the remainder as being a mixture of noble gases, water
vapour and carbon dioxide
• Name the common pollutants in the air as being carbon monoxide, sulfur
dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and lead compounds
• State the source of each of these pollutants:
– carbon monoxide from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing
substances
– sulfur dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels which contain sulfur
compounds (leading to ‘acid rain’ – see section 13)
– oxides of nitrogen from car exhausts
• State the adverse effect of common pollutants on buildings and on health

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 11. Air & Water - Supplement
• Describe the separation of oxygen and nitrogen from liquid air by fractional distillation
• Describe and explain the presence of oxides of nitrogen in car exhausts and their catalytic removal
• Describe methods of rust prevention, specifically paint and other coatings to exclude oxygen
• Describe the need for nitrogen-, phosphorus- and potassium-containing fertilisers
• Describe the displacement of ammonia from its salts
• State that carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases and may contribute to climate change
• Describe the formation of carbon dioxide:
– as a product of complete combustion of carbon containing substances
– as a product of respiration
– as a product of the reaction between an acid and a carbonate
– from the thermal decomposition of a carbonate
• State the sources of methane, including decomposition of vegetation and waste gases from
digestion in animals
• Describe sacrificial protection in terms of the reactivity series of metals and galvanising as a method
of rust prevention
• Describe the essential conditions for the manufacture of ammonia by the Haber process including
the sources of the hydrogen and nitrogen, i.e. hydrocarbons or steam and air
• Describe the carbon cycle, in simple terms, to include the processes of combustion, respiration and
photosynthesis
12. Sulfur

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12. Sulfur

Supplement
• Name some sources of sulfur
• Name the use of sulfur in the manufacture of sulfuric acid
• Name the uses of sulfur dioxide as a bleach in the manufacture of wood pulp
for paper and as a food preservative (by killing bacteria)
• Describe the manufacture of sulphuric acid by the Contact process, including
essential conditions
• Describe the properties of dilute sulphuric acid as a typical acid

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